For the eighth time, the Boston Red Sox open the baseball season as World Series Champions. For a club that has the most titles since 2000, the new number of relevance since breaking the 86-year drought between 1918 and 2004, is 1916 – which is the last time the organization won back-to-back championships.

Interesting that one year ago when Jon Lester (left, naturally) toed the slab to start the season in the Bronx the main hope for the BoSox centered on not continuing the embarrassment that began with the September collapse in 2011 and continued through the Bobby Valentine year in 2012. Now, as Lester – still waiting for his contract extension to be worked-out – takes the ball this afternoon in Baltimore, the discussion is whether or not this team can repeat.

From the perspective of roster and organizational depth the 2014 Red Sox have to be the model for the rest of baseball. The team is not only looking to incorporate 2 or 3 first or second year players into their starting line-up (look for Jackie Bradley Jr. to start for the injured Shane Victorino today and perhaps make the “Flying Hawaiian” the 21st century version of Wally Pipp), but it has enough talent stashed in the minor leagues that another few guys can be counted on to contribute during the course of the next six or seven months. If necessary, they are in good enough financial shape to take on a big contract at the trading deadline – like Jake Peavy a year ago. The Sox do not lack for talent or resources at this point.

Getting back to the game today – regardless of all the March Madness, the NFL free agency, the Bruins sustained excellence, and the Celtics lottery chances – Opening Day in baseball is a special day all to itself. There is nothing like the first pitch to embody hope – for the team you root for and for the warm weather to come. There is an excitement for the summer-long journey into autumn. For Red Sox fans there is the anticipation that more magic awaits and a new hero will emerge each day.

Hopefully, Lester takes the ball today and continues his dominance in Baltimore in particular and against the Orioles in general because regardless of how we romanticize the game itself, it is always nice to start the season with a win. You can’t go 162 – 0 if you don’t win the first one.

Play Ball.

Richard Troxell performs his rendition of the national anthem before an opening day baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, Monday, March 31, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)